Protecting Melody Read Online Free Page A

once that if it was just her, she never would’ve left. And I believe that with all my heart.”  
    “Because if it was just her, she wouldn’t care, but threaten someone or something she loves, and all bets are off.” Tex could see Melody being that way. Again, he’d only been acquainted with her for a short while, but with the way she supported him and stood up for him when she didn’t really even know him, Tex knew she’d be horrified by the thought of someone getting hurt because of her.  
    “Yeah.” Amy’s voice was low. “You do know her.”  
    “Yeah. I know her.”  
    “I’m worried, Tex. I haven’t talked to her in about three months, and the last time I spoke with her she didn’t sound good.”  
    “In what way?”  
    “Usually she tries to be happy and cheerful when she talks to me, but last time she didn’t try to hide her feelings. She was scared and depressed. She told me over and over how much she loved me and the kids and told me to give Baby extra pets for her.” Amy took a deep breath. “When she said good-bye, it sounded different than any other time.”  
    “It sounded final.”  
    “Exactly. I tried to keep her on the phone, but she said she had to go and she hung up.”  
    “I’m going to find her, Amy.”  
    “She’s going to be scared when you do. Someone’s after her. If you’re telling the truth and she doesn’t know what you look like, she’s gonna run.”  
    “She won’t run when she sees me.”  
    “You sound sure of yourself.”  
    “I am.” Tex didn’t elaborate.  
    “Please bring her home.”  
    “I will. Can I ask a favor?” Tex knew what he was going to ask was highly unusual and Amy would most likely need some convincing, but after speaking with her he knew it was the right move and something he had to do.  
    After Amy agreed to his favor, with a few conditions, Tex hung up. Amy had given him a lot of great information, including Melody’s last name, Grace, and Tex knew it was only a matter of time before he found her. And when he did, he’d make sure she was safe and could go home again.  
     
     

Chapter Two
     
     
     
    Tex smiled over at the coonhound sitting next to him in his truck. Baby was sitting on her haunches, almost like a human would, with her nose in the air sniffing the breeze coming in through the open window. Tex wasn’t a dog expert, but for some reason he needed to pick up Baby and bring her with him on his quest to find Melody.  
    He had a connection with Melody, and having her beloved dog next to him made Tex feel closer to her. Besides, Baby was the cutest thing he’d ever seen, it wasn’t as if it was a hardship to have her along for the ride. She had legs that seemed too long for her frame. Her paws were big, but she was lean. She was tan and white, with most of her belly being white and the majority of her back and head being tan. Baby’s ears hung low, not quite as long as a basset hound or bloodhound’s might, but they made her face look perpetually sad. But it was her eyes that had solidified Tex’s decision to take her with him. They were a unique shade of brown, if Tex had to describe it, he’d say they were the color of amber. Every time she looked at him it was as if she saw right through him to all his fears and insecurities and could somehow make them all disappear.  
    Luckily, Baby had taken to him right away. She’d walked up to him as if she’d known him her entire life and had sat down right on his foot. Tex ruffled her ears and Baby looked up at him with the most trusting look Tex had ever seen. It was as if the dog knew Tex was there to take her to Melody.  
    On the phone, Amy had agreed to let him take Melody’s dog, but it had taken some convincing once he’d arrived at her home. Tex had told Amy he’d drive up to Bethel Park, Pennsylvania and collect Baby. After he’d arrived, Tex spent an uncomfortable two hours with Amy and her family. They’d asked a million questions,